- Shohei Ohtani ball has recently been sold at auction
- The buyer of the ball has so far remained anonymous
- Los Angeles Dodgers player is already the highest paid player in sport
A new record has been set at an auction as a buyer has paid an eye-watering amount for the ball Shotei Ohtani hit to create a new MLB record.
Record breaker
The ball was hit by Los Angeles Dodgers hitter Ohtani on September 19 as he scored his 50th home run of the season. In doing so, he also became the first player to score 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in one season. Ohtani hit the milestone in a game against the Miami Marlins.
But the ball has now broken a 25-year-old record at auction. Ohtani’s ball was sold for $4.39 million to an unnamed buyer. The previous record amount paid for a ball came in 1999 when someone paid $3 million for Mark McGwire’s record-breaking ball from the 1998 season.
The auction was run by Goldin Auctions. Ken Goldin, who founded the auction house, said that bids for the ball had been received from around the world. “A testament to the significance of this iconic collectible and Ohtani’s impact on sports,” he said, as reported by the BBC.
Headline maker
Ohtani is used to setting records. Last year, the Japanese player signed a mammoth $700 million deal to join the Dodgers on a 10-year contract earlier after his deal with the Los Angeles Angels expired.
Soon after, Ohtani agreed a deal to take home only – only – $2 million per year until 2034, when the Dodgers will then pay him $68 million per year until 2043. He is thought to make $50 million per year through endorsements and off-field activities.
Earlier this year, Ohtani also got married – although he didn’t reveal the identity of his bride until some weeks later.
